Gear housing



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GEAR HOUS I NG Filed June 27, 1934 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEAR HOUSING a corporation of Illinois Application June 27, 1934, Serial No. 732,596

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to gear housings of the type ordinarily employed on agricultural implements of various types for enclosing certain of the gearing in the driving train, and more particularly has to pdo with housings of this type formed of sheet metal. In the present instance the improved gear housing has been shown as enclosing the bevel gear and bevel pinion of the driving train through which the sickle of a binder is driven.

As is well known, it is desirable in connection with binders and other agricultural implements to enclose certain of the driving gears in a housing so that the gears will always be properly lubricated and kept free from dirt and grit, and the principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved grease-tight gear housing of this type.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means for securing the gear'housing to the frame of an implement or other structure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improve-d means for sealing the openings in the housing through which openings the shafts connected with the gears within the housing extend.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved means for locking the shaft bearings in position in the housing, such means including means for securing the housing to the frame.

Further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a commercial type of binder to which our improved gear housing has been applied;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and illustrating the means for sealing the openings in the end walls of the gear case through which the pitman shaft of the binder extends;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View of certain of the parts shown in Figure 2, and illustrating the means for sealing the'opening in the front end wall of the gear casing;

Figure4 is a vertical cross sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and illustrating the means for sealing the opening in the casing through which the main drive shaft extends; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view with (Cl. 30S-36.1)

the cover plate of the gear casing removed and i1- lustrating the means for sealing the opening in the side wall of the casing through which the main drive shaft extends.

While the present invention has been illustrated in connection with a binder, it is to bel understood that this showing is exemplary only and that our improved gear casing and the sealing means therefor may be incorporated in any other implement or structure to which it may be adapted.

The binder in connection with which this invention is illustrated is of conventional construction, comprising a frame I2 supported on a bull wheel I3, and the operating mechanism of the binder is driven by power derived from the bull wheel I3. To this end, a sprocket I4 is secured to the hub of the bull wheel I3 in any suitable manner, and a driving chain I5 operatively connects the sprocket I4 with a sprocket I6 that is Xed to a sleeve I'l (Figure l) journaled over the main drive shaft I 8 (Figures 4 and 5). The sleeve Il operates to drive the drive shaft I8 through a slip clutch I9. The means for operating the clutch have not been illustrated in the drawing as they have nothing to do with the present invention and therefore their illustration is believed to be unnecessary. The main drive shaft I8 drives a pitman shaft 2| through a bevel gear 22 fixed in any suitable manner on the end of the drive shaft I8 and meshing with a bevel pinion 23 suitably fixed to the rear end of the pitman shaft 2|, as best shown in Figure 5.

The improved gear housing of the present invention is shown as enclosing the bevel gear 22 and the bevel pinion 23. The housing extends fore and aft of the binder and comprises a main body ,portion 24 and two similar upper and lower end portions 25 and 2S. The lower end portion 25 forms the bottom of the housing and is provided with an outwardly turned flange 21 by which it is secured by rivets 23 or other suitable means to an outwardly turned flange 29 of the main body portion 2li, as best shown in Figure 4. A gasket 3I is inserted between the flanges 21 and 29 of the members 25 and 24, respectively, to provide a grease-tight connection. The upper edge of the main body portion 24 is provided with an outwardly extending ange 32 that cooperates with an outwardly extending iiange 33 provided on the upper end portion 26 of the housing, as best shown in Figure Il, these flanges 32 and 33 being secured together by bolts 34, as shown, or

f similar means, so that the upper or top portion 26 of the housing forms a cover plate and is re- 60 .Figure e5;

the lug 45 and a hole in the bracket 45 which is` 65 at all times.

movable, whereby access may be had to the interior of the housing for replenishing the lubricant therein or when otherwise necessary. A gasket 35 is inserted between the flanges 32 and 33 5 to make the connection between the parts 24 and 25 grease-tight.

The main body portion 24 of the housing -is shaped to t into the corner formed between theY frame members 36v and 31 of the binder in a l0 position to surround the bevel gear 22 and the bevel pinion 23. As above mentioned, the bevel gear is fixed to the end of the main drive shaft i8, the latter being journaled in conventional roller bearings supported in a bearing box 38 which projects through and issupported in an opening provided therefor .in theframemember' 36, as shown in Figure 4. The bevel pinion 23 is keyed or otherwise suitably securedtothe pit,- man drive shaft 2|, and the shaft 2| is journaled at its rear end in suitable roller bearings supported in a bearing box 39 projecting through and'supported in an opening in the frame member 31. `Suitable openings are also provided in theY adjacent side wallsof the main body portion 24 ofthe housing to receive the inner ends of the bearing boxes 38 and 39, anda suitable openinglll is provided in thevfront wall of the main body portion V24 of the housing through which the pitman shaft 2| extends, this opening 3 0 -being" somewhat larger than the diameter of the shaft 2| (see Figure 3)v for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The housing is xedly supported in position by means including bolts 42 and 43 which pass 35,-thr`ough perforations provided therefor in the sidewall of the main body portion 24- of the housingY andthrough perforations provided in the frame member 36 in kalignment with said first perforations and on opposite sides of the bearing "function in addition to securing the housing to the framaas will now be described.

The opening` in the body portion of the housing'through which `the bearing box 38 for the mainl drive shaft I8 projects is sealed so'as to be -grease-tight bymeans of a leather washer 44Y provided with a, oentral opening equal tof or slightly smaller than the outer diameterof the bearing box 38, said washer being forced over l'the inner end of the bearing box and clamped against `the inner side of the wall of the housing by` meansof a bracket 45 which likewise is provided with-aV central opening embracing the lbearingfboxii, see Figure 4. The bracket 45 is clamped inposition against the washer 44 Aby means of. a Ylug 46 formed integral with the bearing box 36' and extendinglaterally therefrom, theVw lug being provided With a laterally tulrned end 46a. that contacts with the bracket 45, see The bolt 42 passes through a hole in 70. for sealing, against vthe leakage of grease or other lubricant, the opening in the housing Y24 through which the bearing box 39 projects, andfor this purpose .a leather washer 5| is provided,. said washer, having .a central. opening 4equal toer slightly smaller than the diameter of- .the inner tween'- the bearing box 39v and the bearing 6| at These bolts 42 and 43 also perform a end ofwthe bearing box 39.V This washer 5| is forced over the inner end of the bearing box 39 and is held tightly against the inner side of the rear wall of the housing by a bracket 52 xedly held in position in the housing by bolts53 and 54. These bolts 53 and 54 extend through aligned perforations vin the bracket 52, inthe rear wall of the housing, pass on opposite sides of the frame member 31, and extend through perforations provided therefor in a plate 55 which bears against the rear side of the frame member 31. The plate 55` is provided with a central opening large enough :toclear a flange 56 formed integral with and ex- 39as shown in; Figure 2. The bearing box is held -against rotation by a lug 51 that is formed integralmwith" and projects outwardly from the vflange5 5, Said; 111g engaging in a recess 58 provided in the plate 55 (see Figure 2). The bearing-boxA 39 is held against rearward movement relativeto the ,shaftv2| by a sprocket 59 fixed in anyvsuitable manner to the, rear end ofthe shaft. 2|,- thi s sprccket beingoperatively connected by a chainwith certain operating parts of the binder which havejnot-.been illustrated herein. The flange 5.6, bearing against the frame member 31,= holds the bearing box 39 against movement in. the opposite direction, as will be readily under.- stood. f i

The opening 4I in the frontor forward wall of the main portion 24 of the housing through which the shaft 21| extends, as above described, is made substantially larger than the diameter of the shaft; 2| 1 totake care of any misalignment bethe'forward end of the shaft 2|, and also to pro-V vide forany oscillations the shaft might execute in operation due to its not being perfectly straight. Mjeans is providedfor sealing the opening4| against the escape of grease or other lubricanttherethrough, as shown in'Figure. 3, said means including a'leather washer 62 which embracesthe shaft 2| sufficientlytight to prevent theescapeof grease between rthe washer and the shaft.; The washer `62 is held in grease-tight contact against the inner surface of the front wagllofthe housing 24V by a coiled spring 63 which bearsagainst a U-shaped bracket 64 supported from the;Y wall of the housing by rivetsY Y65. With this construction of sealing means, if the shaft should oscillate as above mentioned, due toits not. being perfectly straight, the washer V62 will move with it and slide upon the inner surface of thewall, ofv the, housing, such .movement being permittedL through the flexibility of the 'spring 63. The Washer 62 is made sufiiciently large in diameter so thatit will always cover the opening 4| duringlany oscillations that the shaft 2| may execute, and the spring will function at all times to maintain. the-washer 62 in .grease-tight contact With thej wall of the housingv duringsuch. sliding movement of the washer, as will be readily understmal'.-;l f A4InthisconnectionJ ,it is to be noted that the U-shaped bracket 64 has been placed in a vertical position, andthe purpose of positioning the bracket inthat manner is so that. such grease soi asA is carriedaroundf. bythe bevel gear 22 and Y* thrown or dripped-therefrom will not drop di? rectlyL on' thewasher 62, but will drop onthe Y bracket 64, thusensuring thatv the yescape'of 1 greasewill-be entirely eliminated at-this point.

Wlnile.y the present invention has been. illus- 1 trated andil described yas .incorporated in abinderQf f itis'- .to be expressly understood that-r the inven 755i tion is not limited to such use, as it may be employed in connection with any other structure -for which it may be adapted, and the claims hereinafter made are to be construed accordingly.

We claim:

`1. The combination with a frame member and a shaft journaled in a bearing supported by said frame member, of a housing enclosing a portion of said shaft, one Wall of said housing disposed adjacent said frame member and having an opening through which said bearing projects, means for sealing said opening against the escape of lubricant therefrom, said means comprising a washer tightly embracing the inner end of said bearing and disposed against the inner side of Said Wall of the housing, a bracket engaging said washer, and means serving to hold said bracket in compressing engagement with said washer and to x said housing to said frame member.

2. The combination with a frame member and a shaft journaled in a bearing projecting through a perforation in and supported by said frame member, of a housing enclosing a portion of said shaft, one Wall of said housing disposed adjacent said frame member and having an opening through which said bearing projects, means for sealing said opening against the escape of lubricant comprising a Washer tightly embracing the inner end of said bearing and bearing against the inner side of said wall of the housing, a bracket engaging said Washer, and means independent of the support of said bearing on said frame member for holding said bracket in compressing engagement vvith said Washer and for fixing said housing to said frame member comprising a part passing through aligned perforations in said bracket, said Wall, and said frame member.

3. The combination with a frame member and a shaft journaled in a bearing projecting through a perforation in said frame member, of a housing enclosing a portion of said shaft, one Wall of said housing disposed adjacent said frame member and having an opening through which said bearing projects, means for sealing said opening against the escape of lubricant comprising a Washer tightly embracing the inner end of said bearing and bearing against the inner side of said wall of the housing, a bracket engaging said washer, and means for holding said bracket in compressing engagement with said washer and for fixing said housing to said frame member and for locking said bearing in position comprising a lug vformed integral with said bearing and engaging against said bracket and a bolt passing through aligned perforations in said lug, said Wall, and said frame member.

4. 'Ihe combination with a frame member and a shaft journaled in a bearing projecting through a perforation in and supported by said frame member, of a housing enclosing the end of said shaft, one Wall of said housing disposed adjacent one side of said frame member and having an opening through Which said bearing projects, means on the side of said housing opposite said frame member for sealing the opening in said housing against the escape of lubricant therefrom comprising a Washer tightly embracing the inner end of said bearing on the inside of said housing and bearing against the inner side of said wall of the housing, a bracket for holding said Washer in lubricant-tight engagement with the inner surface of the Wall of the housing, and means for fixing said housing to said frame member and for locking said bearing in position comprising a lug formed integral with said bearing and a part passing from the side of the frame member opposite said housing through aligned perforations in said lug, said Wall, and said frame member.

5. The combination With a frame member and a shaft journaled in a bearing projecting through a perforation in and supported by said frame member, of a housing enclosingthe end of said shaft, one wall of said housing having an opening through which said bearing projects, means for sealing said opening against the escape of lubricant comprising a Washer tightly embracing the inner end of said bearing and bearing against the inner side of said wall of the housing, a bracket engaging said Washer, and means independent of the support of the bearing on said frame member for locking said bearing against rotation including means for holding said bracket in compressing engagement with said Washer.

6. The combination with a frame member and a shaft journaled in a bearing projecting through a perforation in said member, of a housing enclosing a portion of said shaft, one Wall of said housing having an opening through which said bearing projects, means for sealing said opening against the escape of lubricant comprising a Washer tightly embracing the inner end of said bearing and bearing against the inner side of said Wall of the housing, a bracket engaging said Washer, and means for locking said bearing against rotation including a plate having an opening through which said bearing extends, a lug extending radially outwardly from said bearing and engaging in a radial recess in said plate, and means for securing said plate to said frame member.

7. The combination with a frame member and a shaft journaled in a bearing projecting through a perforation in said member, of a housing disposed against one side of the frame member and enclosing the end of said shaft, one Wall of said housing having an opening through which said bearing projects, means for sealing said opening against the escape of lubricant comprising a Washer tightly embracing the inner end of said bearing and bearing against the inner side of said Wall of the housing, a bracket engaging said washer, and means for locking said bearing against rotation including a plate disposed on the opposite side of said frame member from said housing and having an opening through which said bearing extends, a lug extending outwardly from said bearing and engaging in a recess in said plate, and means for securing said plate to said frame member, said securing means operating to hold said bracket in compressing engagement with said Washer to seal the opening against the leakage of lubricant therethrough.

8. In combination, a frame member, a bearing housing supported by said frame member, a shaft journaled in a bearing in said bearing housing, a second housing enclosing a portion of said shaft, one wall of said second housing having an opening through which said bearing housing projects, means for sealing said opening against the escape of lubricant therefrom, said means comprising a Washer tightly embracing the inner end of said bearing housing and disposed against the inner side of said Wall of the second housing, a bracket engaging said Washer, and means serving to hold said bracket in compressing engagement with said Washer and to fix said second housing to said frame member.

9. In combination, a frame member, a shaft 75 v'10. In combination, a frame member, a shaft message journ-aled in a bearing housing supported byY said member@ a'secondv housingV enclosing a portion of said shaft, :one Wall of said second housing having an 'opening through which said shaft projects, means for sealing said opening against the escape 'of llubricant therefrom, said means comprising a washer embracing the shaft and disposed against lthe inner Vside of said wall of the secondhousing, a bracket 'engaging said washer, and meansrserving to. hold said bracket in compressing engagement With said washer and to x said second housing to said frame member.

' 'i WILBUR J. COULTAS.

NGLAN D. COLVIN. 

